Thursday, February 24

You might think something called a black gum tree wouldn't be all that colorful, but you'd be wrong. Though it does bear small, unedible blue-black fruits, the leaves turn a beautiful bright red in the fall.

Though humans find their fruits disagreeable, they are a treasure trove for migrating fall birds. Being one of the earlier trees to change leaf color, called foliar fruit flagging, it lets all birds know this is the place to come for dinner. Nyssa sylvatica is a birdwatcher's dream for the species it can draw into the yard. Look for it in our tree nursery.